The Best Mediterranean in Austin

Almarah Mediterranean Cuisine

★★★★☆ 4.2 (905) • $$

"We returned back to Almarah and had another great experience! The staff were so great! Knowledgeable about the menu, spices and flavors. The restaurant was busy but the staff were very quick and on top of everything! Our table had a variety of foods which included: hummus and pita bread, gyros, beef plate, chicken plate and also falafel! Everything was fresh and delicious! This is a must try spot! We will continue to come here!"

Arpeggio Grill

★★★★☆ 4.1 (922) • $$

"Arpeggio's is like stumbling upon a hidden gem in a sea of trendy, overpriced spots. This isn't the kind of place with neon signs or minimalist décor. No, it is refreshingly unpretentious, and that's exactly what makes it shine.Every time I walk in, I'm greeted like an old friend--one who remembers my order and insists I try the tea, which, by the way, is fantastic. This place knows how to keep it simple and delicious. The gyros are outstanding, packed with flavor and a perfect balance. They even have a mini pistachio pastry that's a little bite of heaven.Here's the honest scoop, though: if you're used to a more Americanized take on Mediterranean, you might want to ask about ingredients before you dive in. Arpeggio leans authentic, so the toppings might surprise you if you're expecting the standard fare. And a friendly warning to my fellow low-riders: avoid the Airport Blvd entrance if you're not into the whole "scraping-the-undercarriage" experience. The side street is your friend here.For the late crowd, note that they start winding down about 15 minutes before closing. So, if you're coming in that last half-hour, it might be a smoother experience to grab it to go--nobody wants a rush on a good gyro.In short, this place delivers a cozy, welcoming atmosphere with food that hits the spot without hitting the wallet too hard. I'll keep coming back as long as they keep rolling out those gyros. And next time, maybe I'll actually check out the patio or settle into one of those floor tables for the full experience."

Tony And Luigis

★★★★☆ 4 (694) • $$

"My GD wanted Fettuccine and we were headed to Georgetown so I jumped on Yelp and found Tony and Luigis close to where we were headed for the day and off we went...I had seen on multiple reviews about making reservations, so I called and our table was waiting when we arrived....also...no need to make reservations. For as long as this place has been there is was clean an up kept...Promptly seated by a very friendly waitress. The food was everything we expected...the complementary bread was hot and fresh And with real butter. We started with Calamari ( The GD new found love)...very fresh and cooked perfectly...along with the classic Mozzarella Stick that had amazing pull...The GD did "Build you own" with Fettuccine, Alfredo, Chicken and Goat Cheese...Wife went with the 4 Cheese Penne and myself I went with the Chicken Carbonara...All 3 were absolutely delicious...creamy and flavorful....The plates were loaded and the leftovers the next day were great. The most exciting thing about the visit, is they are planning on opening one in Taylor Texas which is Much close to Manor where we live."

The Halal Corner

★★★★☆ 4.2 (513) • $

"Great tasting food for good price. Located in the Barbara Jordan shopping plaza, I came here on a rainy night when I didn't feel like cooking. I opted for the platter with beef shawarma that came with a delicious white sauce, rice, salad, and pita.The portion was large enough for probably 2 meals and the meat was delicious and paired wonderfully with the white sauce. Ordered ahead on line so the food was read immediately when I came but the location is a bit hidden in a corner and their lights for their sign were off so it was a bit hard to find, but nonetheless a great meal!"

Halal Bros

★★★★☆ 4.1 (515) • $$

"This is a great and proven restaurant to go to for Halal food. I usually get the combination plate over rice. The combination plate consists of gyro and chicken meat over rice served with a side salad (lettuce and tomato) along with white sauce and hot sauce. This entree is very good because the chicken is well seasoned as is the gyro meat. The rice has a nice flavor and the white sauce is a must for this type of meal! Service has always been satisfying here. You can't go wrong getting food from here. They've been consistently good the numerous times I've been here."

Kismet Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.3 (467) • $$

"My go-to place after seeing a show at the Bass Concert Hall. Tasty, affordable, big portion sizes, and open late. Love how smooth the hummus is here, and how tangy the tabbouleh salad is. The meat is good and very generously portioned. I always end up getting something different and it's always good."

Cafe Malta

★★★★☆ 3.8 (569) • $$

"Lord love a duck. Delicious even after all these years. One of our favorite places to eat during lunch"

Halal Hub

★★★★☆ 4.3 (386) • $$

"I get this place on Uber eats all the time, and it is always hot, fresh and delicious. It's one of the more reasonably priced halal options and probably the best halal I've had from a food truck."

Shandeez Grill

★★★★☆ 4.1 (326) • $$

"This is a Five Star Review on a menu I normally hate.I absolutely adore Persian food.It is one of my favorite cuisines on the planet.But I am very fussy about my Persian food.I want genuine complicated exotic Persian dishes.I want Rice with a beautiful crust burned into the bottom.I want elaborate stews with tart berries mixed in with the meat.I want tea with sugar balls the size of an egg that you hold in your mouth.I want soup made with lamb tripe.Most of the famous Persian dishes have ingredients that you only get in the Middle East.In contrast - Shandeez uses plain ordinary American ingredients.Much of the menu involves gyros and gyro meat.Nearly everything else uses items you could buy in an HEB.These are Persian recipes adapted for the American Restaurant Supply Industry.This normally puts me in a sour mood.But Shandeez is a five star place.* * *Why does Shandeez get five stars?Because they somehow find remarkable versions of these simple raw ingredients.The ingredients may be obtainable in an HEB - but THEIR versions of those ingredients are not.Their versions are better, much better.I was immediately and totally in love.* * *Of special note:a) the best feta cheese in Austin that is not Phoenicia Deli's French feta cheese.b) the best pita bread that is not Phoenicia Deli's own pita bread ... and in the case of Phoenicia you sort of have to eat yours the same day.c) superior Gyro meatd) high quality olives.e) great great great raw onions* * *They give you a free starter of pita bread, butter, their special deal feta cheese, raw onions and walnuts.Frankly, you don't need anything else.I could eat basket after basket after basket of that combo.I virtually never put butter on pita bread.James Beard claims the best sandwich he ever invented was white bread, butter and raw onion.You can make that sandwich yourself off the starter plate at Shandeez.It is just as good as James Beard says.But that feta cheese is going to be hard to ignore - and the walnuts add all sorts of interest.* * *Servings are huge here.One appetizer can easily be a meal for you.They have an appetizer of kalamata olives, feta cheese and the pita bread.I would look at that one very very seriously.But we did the smoked eggplant appetizer.It was utterly insane.I had a gyro salad That item is straight off of the American menu list - here called Greek, rather than American.The salad looks small but isn't.The amount of gyro meat looks ungenerous but it isn't.It turns out that there is layer after layer after layer of gyro meat, with the greek dressing, lettuce and tomato cutting the gyro perfectly.I would have that dish again in a nanosecond.My vegetarian wife adored her grilled vegetables with hummus.The couple we were with got lamb and chicken kebabs respectively.Their plates were huge with vast amounts of rice, good grilled tomatoes and first rate kebabs.* * *Simple grilled meats make up most of the menu although there are a teeny tiny number of stews.My gyros and my co-diners kebabs suggest that grilled meat will do you just fine at Shandeez.* * *So save your elaborate Persian dishes for great cities with large diaspora Persian populations.You can eat like a shah in Los Angeles or London.For the simple Persian pleasures of life, it is hard to beat Shandeez.Now lets have about ten more of those baskets of bread, butter, onion and feta cheese."

Mezze Cafe

★★★★★ 4.5 (266) • $$

"Really lovely, lowkey spot! I only stumbled upon this place. The front patio area is really pretty, the lighting is nice and dim and I think there was a live band and belly dancer last night! So cool. The back room area is dingy and dirty looking. They honestly need to make sure the entire place is well decorated, clean and presentable for paying customers! Service was really poor and disappointing. My server was rude and inconsistent. She came to check on us a total of two times and then came back to say "are you done? We need the tea pot and glasses" this was extremely unprofessional and rude!! My party of 3 was shocked and uncomfortable after this. The food was good. I ordered the Shih Tawook plate, but she brought me the wrap instead at that point it didn't matter and the wrap costs as little less. The mint tea was refreshing and strong! The presentation of it was pretty. My friend indulged in hookah and ordered the passion fruit? It smelled nice. I didn't try any desserts on this visit but I definitely will next time around! I hope the owner takes hospitality seriously and improve with feedback! I look forward to returning to give this place one more shot because the vibe with other patrons was amazing! Music was good and the food quality on point. FYI there is a parking lot but it is tiny and chaotic! Park on the street"

Artemis Mediterranean Grill

★★★★☆ 4.1 (312) • $$

"I love Mediterranean food so when my sister-in-law recommended eating here for dinner while visiting from Maine this week, I could not have been more excited. The restaurant is beautiful and the food tasted amazing. I tried the house-made dolmas, lamb gyro, and steak skewer (kids' meal.) All were incredible! The fries that came with the gyro were deliciously seasoned and my two-year-old's favorite however both my kids (other one four) devoured the steak as well. The special sauce that came with the gyros was one of my favorites however I have no idea what it even was-- still highly recommend! Service was great as my daughter spilled a whole seltzer water on the table shortly after it was delivered and they grabbed us rags and were very cool about it. It wasn't too busy when we visited and our food arrived quickly and as ordered! Highly recommend.P.S. The entire menu looked so amazing, choosing a meal was hard so be prepared for making a tough decision."

TKS Mediterranean

★★★★★ 4.7 (213) • $$

"This place has become my go-to! It's SO good and I am thoroughly blown away by the service every single time. Karim at the Round Rock location is outstanding!! It's a fast casual place with top-tier service. He was kind, friendly, attentive, knowledgeable and went above and beyond -- just the definition of what great service should look like. Thank you Karim! Love this place EVEN MORE."

Beirut

★★★★★ 4.6 (221) • $$

"Beirut is fine dining on wheels.The problem with my review is that it will be full of superlatives to the point that you might struggle to believe me, but wow: it is so good. I had the Cubed Lamb plate today and what the flip?! So. Good. This dish is several levels above what I would expect from a food truck. I've had the chicken shawarma, and it's also mouthwateringly good. I've eaten at many middle eastern restaurants surpasses them all. This is Austin's best kept secret! Fine dining on wheels. Note: there are several cozy tables next to the truck, so there's no need to stand around while eating."

Halal Time

★★★★★ 4.7 (210) • $$

"So I have developed a halal addiction since a few weeks ago. My latest halal adventure happened while having drinks at the Low Down Lounge. Halal Time is right next door and conveniently open early. I had lamb shawarma and chicken over rice and it was so good. I was disappointed about the garbanzo beans given I had ordered it without but other than that, I was extremely satisfied with my food."

Leyla's Kitchen

★★★★★ 4.8 (185)

"Oh my goodness this place is fantastic!!! From the gyros to the dolmas, everything is fresh tasting and delicious. The food truck is a must visit for those in the area or out for a drive to Hamilton pool. PS: the food is made to order so expect a 10-15 minute wait."

Leyla’s Mediterranean Cafe

★★★★☆ 4 (245) • $$

"Solid Mediterranean food at Leyla's! We opted for delivery from Leyla's after a long day working around the house. Good choice. The food was pre-ordered earlier in the day and arrived on time! We tried three different plates, beef kabob, ground lamb and a chicken/gyro meat combo. All the meats were good, the beef gyro was our favorite of the group. The sides were hummus, tabbouleh, eggplant and house salad. The house salad was unimpressive, but the other three sides were deelish! We'd avoid the house salad next time around. Definitely 4 stars worthy, recommend Leyla's for a good Med meal."

KabobZi Mediterranean Grill

★★★★☆ 4.4 (197) • $$

"My Lebanese banker shared this gem with me, and I've been back twice in just one week... and I'm longing for more. Wanna go? It's owned and run by an attractive family of GREAT cooks. The food tastes home made. The atmosphere is super friendly. Don't be discouraged by its location on Guadalupe. Odds are you will find parking right on the premises.Do you like baba ganoush? I think Kabobzi serves the best. I'm stuck on it and cannot imagine visiting this restaurant without ordering it every single time. My paternal grandparents were from Lebanon, and my grandmother was a sensational cook. This baba ganoush was better than hers. It's served with small warm pita bread that's fresh out of the oven.Pair that with an Almaza, an excellent cold Lebanese beer or a glass of wine. The lamb kabobs are flavorful, moist and served on a bed of rice with a choice of sides that can include tabule (oddly free of bulghur wheat but delicious, nevertheless), and the coveted, prized, amazing baba ganoush. This is healthful food that is very reasonably priced and served at a central location that is friendly and even fun."

Aladdin Halal Grill

★★★★★ 4.6 (174) • $$

"Generous servings made fresh to order. Price is very competitive considering that more than likely you will not be able to finish your meal and can make it a 2nd meal for later. Pita bread was not really warm even when wrapped it foil, tasted more like a tortilla, but the salad, cucumbers and tomatoes, was delicious. That was my favorite part of my meal along with the gyro."

Hummus Cuisine

★★★★★ 4.7 (147) • $

"We happened upon this fine establishment and so glad we did. Excellent customer service paired with the freshest of food. You work be disappointed and we will be back."

Tx Shawarma

★★★★★ 4.7 (138) • $

"The food is excellent! I ordered a chicken shawarma and dolmas. The dolmas were sooo good! The shawarma was huge and I was able to share bc of how big the portion was, so good too! Most of all- excellent customer service! I had gotten distracted with my little one and accidentally left my wallet there, it was safe and sound when I returned to pick it up. Thank you so much for your kindness! Definitely recommend and we will be back!"

Tino's Greek Cafe

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (242) • $

"We have been coming to Tino's for years. This place is the best Greek around in my opinion. I love the lunch and dinner special. Are you hungry? Do you want to eat right away? You go through the line and they give you delicious, fresh food. Great portions, fast service, perfection."

Sosa Mediterranean foods

★★★★★ 4.9 (112) • $

"Open during ACL! Highly recommend. Loved the lamb gyro wrap! Very fresh! Can't wait to go back!! Location right off Barton Springs."

Halal Bros

★★★★☆ 4 (162) • $

"I order at this place WAY too many times through UberEats but never in person. When I was having my car checked at Qualtech the other day, I pulled up Yelp to see what's nearby and thought hey, Halal Bros is so close and it would be so nice to actually see the location, environment and people who work there. And yes indeed, not only are items priced cheaper compared to UberEats, I saved an additional $10 on tips and delivery fees. It also smelled so good when I walked in and I wanted to order everything. And I almost forgot, on UberEats I could only order the over rice options but my husband is on Keto diet which could mean more work for us to pick out the protein for him. However if you order in store (the friendly staff told me), you could just do protein over salad and boom, that's my husband's perfect meal. We have had no bad experiences either online or in person here. I was impressed by how tidy the place was. The food is always fresh and overflowing, and we are going to keep supporting them by ordering those combo meals and hummus."

Lazeez Mediterranean Cafe

★★★★★ 4.5 (117)

"Ate here a handful of times and it's always been good. I feel like they've updated their menu recently and the food has gotten even better! I usually get the chicken shawarma but decided to give the Lazeez 2 meat special a try and got it with half chicken half falafel. That was bomb and definitely my new goto along with a side of tabouleh. Owners are always nice. Great little spot."

Phoenicia Bakery and Deli

★★★★☆ 3.8 (162) • $

"I've been to both of Phoenicia locations and it's honestly a hidden gem! From their pastries and meals to their groceries it's a must try!! You can't go wrong with a falafel wrap or gyro plate the service is always fast and friendly. If you've driven by and thought about stopping just do it!"

Rumaan Mediterranean Cuisine

★★★★☆ 4.3 (113)

"They are located at Lakeline Mall, where Buca di Beppo used to be. My girlfriend and I both loved Rumaan Mediterranean. The owner husband is Jordanian, and the owner wife is Palestinian. Initially, my girlfriend and I were concerned because no one else was in the restaurant at 3:30 P.M. on a weekday. But the food was really delicious. Their food is really clean and healthy. I ordered the beef shawarma plate with saffron rice, hummus, and salad. It had the perfect amount of acidity. I also ordered a mint lime lemonade, which was very refreshing. My only wish is that they offered at least one dairy free gelato or sorbet."

Usta Kababgy - Round Rock

★★★★☆ 4.4 (95)

"Round rocks hidden gem! What a fantastic restaurant with incredible food and fabulous service! This place is beautiful inside! Love the middle eastern vibe and decor! The sofas the artifacts, even the music transports you into Northern Africa or Middle East! It's just so beautiful inside!As soon as you are seated you will be welcomed with pita and some dipping sauces to enjoy! The pita is hot of the stove, fresh and fluffy and the sauces are to die for! Both our servers zenia and Jessica were over the top kind and welcoming! They literally treated us as if we were long lost customers or family! The warmth in service was so heartwarming!The kababs are fabulous! We forgot to take pics because it was so good we attacked the food! Our favorite was the spicy kabab the humus and the chicken tikka as well as the Zatar flatbread! That flatbread was off the chart yummy! Definitely recommend this place"

Halal Hub

★★★★★ 4.5 (78)

"Walked in for lunch for a quick shawarma. One of the best showarmas I've had in a long time well made everything was fresh dripping with sauce spicy creamy delicious"

Fresh Gyro Halal

★★★★☆ 4.4 (77)

"Went to the Neuces St food truck. Ordered the combo of gyro and chicken over rice. It also included a little salad, white sauce and spicy sauce. It was plentiful and good. The service was friendly and quick."

Gyro Center

★★★★☆ 4.3 (58)

"Yummy food truck located at Rosedale Market, not the address on here. Prices have increased too. My Grlyro was 9.99, not 8.50. What's fun is there are 3 other food trucks on the property and picnic tables to eat on."

Al-Demashqy

★★★★★ 4.7 (47)

"Super tasty! Very authentic. Brought my friend who had never had Iraqi food before. She loved it! I knew she would!We ordered the Kubba, Baba Ghanouj, chicken shawarma sandwiches on samoon bread, lentil soup, and traditional tea.It was all amazing. And the employees were super nice and welcoming.I'll definitely be back when I come to town!!"

Heros Gyros

★★★★☆ 4.3 (56) • $

"Saving grace of late night gyro delivery! Here I am reviewing another gyro because I love them. 2 Step Gyro has both lamb and chicken, tomato, red onion, and sauce. Their sauce is less traditional as it doesn't have the cool flavor of cucumber but a more savory sauce, not a bad thing- as it tastes delicious!"

Rayan Lebanese Cuisine

★★★★☆ 4.4 (43)

"I adore Lebanese cuisine, so was super excited to try Rayan. Firstly, the portions and huge. I seriously could have made 3 meals out of one chicken shawarma plate. The flavors were bold and delicious. I especially loved the baba ghanoush and the shawarma chicken easily fell apart and was very tender. We tried this via Uber Eats, so not sure what it's like in person, but we will definitely get it again!"

ALPETRA

★★★★★ 4.6 (37) • $$

"This was my favorite place to get gyros from in West Campus. The meat and vegetables were always flavorful and juicy."

Ali Gyro Halal

★★★★☆ 4.4 (40)

"Oh man. I think it's the best falafel I've ever had. Perfect after a night of trolling the 6th Street bars. Highly recommended."